Squirrels Triumph, Take Title

Ben Sumner

4/4/2006

The Screaming Squirrels did exactly what they set out to do at the beginning of the season: Win the championship. Despite finishing in third place in the C3-B division, the Squirrels got hot down the stretch, winning 11 of 12, including a 2-1 victory Monday against top-seeded Dog Star.

The game was exactly what everyone thought it would be: Low scoring, rough, and intense. In the first period, Tony Richelsen took the puck from the left side of the neutral zone, brought the goaltender to his knees and tapped in a shot at 8:50 of the first period.

The 1-0 score stood until 5:45 of the third period. The Squirrels took eight minutes in penalties in the third period, and that came back to haunt them as Timothy Deitz scored from the blue line through a screen on Squirrels goaltender Drew Thiemann.

A minute and a half later, Don Marks missed wide on a slap shot, but the rebound went behind the net to Matt Borlik, who passed to Rob Myers, and Myers scored to give the Squirrels the 2-1 advantage.

Dog Star took a very costly penalty with 1:14 remaining, and the Squirrels killed off the rest of the time. As the clock wound down to zero, the ice was a mess of gloves and sticks as a group hug ensued by the Squirrels net.

Thiemann made 26 saves, while the Squirrels put up 19 shots. Myers almost didn’t make it to the game, as he announced late in the day that he might get stuck at work. A few of the Squirrels suffered injuries during the game, including Ben Sumner, Desi Richelsen and Greg Wenograd, but all eventually got back onto the ice.

Unfortunately, the Squirrels will not be playing summer ice together, but intend on regrouping for the winter season. However, the roller team is back, and they will focus on repeating as champions in that league.

Squirrels Advance to Finals

Ben Sumner

3/31/2006

Tony Richelsen has been on a tear lately, scoring 11 goals in the last five games, including two critical ones in the Squirrels’ 4-3 playoff victory against Syracuse on Thursday. The win puts the Squirrels in the championship game Monday against top-seeded Dog Star, who beat the Nordiques earlier in the evening.

Richelsen got the scoring started in the first period, and Don Marks slapped in a shot from the point to give the Squirrels the early lead.

In the second period, Ed Bager shot the puck from the far left side of the net and it somehow got through.

Soon after, Syracuse scored on a slap shot from the blue line, and several minutes later, and the score was suddenly 3-2.

On an extended shift in the third period, Richelsen got a puck to bounce in the net to put the Squirrels back up by two. Syracuse answered on a fast break, but the Squirrels held on with three minutes remaining, killing a penalty in the process.

The Squirrels played without Sergio Balatan and Chi Pham. The Squirrels have lost to Dog Star twice this season, but beat them 4-3 back on March 9.

The championship game is Monday, at 9:30 p.m. in the Logsdon pavilion.

Squirrels Ground Southwest Airlines

Ben Sumner

3/26/2006

The Screaming Squirrels put an end to Southwest Airlines’ season Sunday with a 6-1 playoff victory in the Patrick rink. The Squirrels move on to the semifinals, where they will face Syracuse on Thursday.

The Squirrels beat Southwest Airlines in all four matchups this season. Syracuse and the Squirrels split their season series, both winning a game.

Sergio Balatan missed the game for the Squirrels.

Squirrels Gear Up for Playoffs

Ben Sumner

3/24/2006

In the final regular season game of the season Thursday, at the end of the first period, the scoreboard read 2-1. Wrong Stuff was in the lead. Then the Squirrels exploded for seven goals in the second period, four more in the third, and now hope to take the momentum of their 12-2 victory into Sunday’s playoff game.

The game ended as the clock hit 3:50 in the third period as the Squirrels went up by ten. Charles Wolstein, Sergio Balatan, Greg Wenograd and Jon Magi missed the game, while Chi Pham subbed on defense. The game was penalty-free until Desi Richelsen got called for hooking in the third period.

The Squirrels finished the regular season with a 15-5-1 record, good enough for third place pending the outcome of the Mutineers-Syracuse game Thursday. In that case, the Squirrels will play on Sunday, at 8:20 p.m. against Southwest Airlines.

Three Pairs Trump Wrong Stuff

Ben Sumner

3/21/2006

With one game left to play after Monday night’s 6-2 victory against the Wrong Stuff, the Screaming Squirrels have just about wrapped up third place – and have a shot at second place – heading into the playoffs. The Squirrels have won seven of their last eight, the one loss coming on a day in which several players couldn’t show up.

In the Resor rink Monday, Don Marks netted two goals, and Rob Myers added a short-handed tally in the first period. The teams skated to a scoreless second period, but the Squirrels stepped it up again in the third. Only nine seconds in, Myers scored again. Only 15 seconds later, Tony Richelsen wristed in a shot from the point. The Wrong Stuff got a pair of power play goals later in the period. Then Richelsen netted another short-handed goal with about a minute to play in the game.

Drew Thiemann faced 15 shots in net as the Squirrels put up 25. Along with his two goals, Myers finished with two assists. The Squirrels played without Brian Jackson, Adam Hughes, Jon Magi, and Charles Wolstein.

The final game of the regular season in Thursday, at 10:40 p.m. in Logsdon, also against Wrong Stuff.

This Time, Squirrels Show Up

Ben Sumner

3/17/2006

When the Squirrels and Vikings matched up two and a half weeks ago, the Squirrels barely had enough players to start the game, and the Vikings took advantage. On Thursday, the Squirrels had subs aplenty, and ran away with a 6-0 victory in front of three fans at the Patrick rink.

The game started off slow as the teams skated through an uneventful first period. Finally, Matt Borlik found the net midway through the second period. A few minutes later, Borlik hit Greg Wenograd with a perfect centering pass and the Squirrels were up by two.

In the third period, the Vikings were clearly tired, and the Squirrels posted 22 shots on net – half of their total for the game – while scoring four more times. Rob Myers and Ed Bager got goals, and Tony Richelsen had the final two.

Drew Thiemann made 17 saves in net to get the team’s fifth shutout of the season. The Squirrels played without Don Marks and Adam Hughes. Chi Pham subbed on defense.

The next game is Monday, at 8:45 against the Wrong Stuff in Resor. The Squirrels close out the regular season Thursday at 10:40 in Logsdon, also against the Wrong Stuff.

D. Richelsen Lifts Squirrels

Ben Sumner

3/10/2006

Defenseman Desi Richelsen is known as many things around the league, but scorer isn’t one of them. In the Squirrels 4-3 victory against Dog Star Thursday night, Richelsen finally got that label, while not losing his regular reputation, either.

The Squirrels got the scoring starting in the first period as Greg Wenograd slammed home a shot from the left side. Dog Star answered later on a power play.

In the second period, Richelsen wristed in a shot from the point to put the Squirrels up 2-1. Dog Star scored short-handed, and the game was tied going into the final period.

Midway through the third, Matt Borlik scored, and Richelsen followed less than a minute later to give the Squirrels a comfortable 4-2 lead with 6:35 remaining.

Both teams took a couple of penalties, including a major-misconduct slash against Dog Star in the final few minutes. With 11 seconds remaining, Dog Star scored, and then almost did again in the final seconds, but the Squirrels held on for their first win against them this season.

Along with the two goals, giving him three on the season, Richelsen had two penalties and scuffled with a few players on Dog Star, as expected.

Dog Star badly outshot the Squirrels, 24-14, as Drew Thiemann made 21 saves in net. Ed Bager had three assists.

The Squirrels played without Don Marks, Phil Van der Vossen, and Rob Myers.

The next game is Thursday, March 16, at 10 p.m. in the Patrick rink against the Vikings. The Squirrels lost to them 4-2 last week while skating with only nine players.

Win-Streak Ends

Ben Sumner

2/26/2006

Since the league rescheduled this game to Sunday afternoon, the Squirrels knew they would have a short bench reminiscent of last summer. Nine players showed up, but the Vikings had a few more substitutes, which made much of the difference in their 4-2 victory.

The Squirrels held their own for almost two periods, leading 2-1 up until the final moments of the second period. This was despite playing the first few minutes with six total skaters and no goaltender, and not getting a third substitute until almost two-thirds of the way through the game.

Middway through the first period, Ed Bager got the scoring started as he tapped in a pass from Matt Borlik off the face-off. The Vikings tied the game soon after. In the second period, Tony Richelson found himself on the breakaway, streaked across the middle and put the Squirrels up by one.

Late in the second period, the Vikings tied the game off of a fluke knuckler after the puck dropped for the face-off in the Squirrels’ zone. Less than a minute later, they scored again to take the lead, then scored once more in the final frame. Despite being short of breath, the Squirrels staged a final flurry but couldn’t score again.

The next game is Thursday, March 9, at 10:30 against Dog Star in Resor.

Four in a Row

Ben Sumner

2/23/2006

Battling with fewer players than usual Wednesday, the Screaming Squirrels won their fourth game in a row — 5-2 against Southwest Airlines — which sent them to second place in the standings.

Ed Bager got the scoring started 8 minutes into the game by connecting with Matt Borlik in front of the net. Bager returned the favor later in the period as he assisted on Borlik’s first goal. With less than a minute remaining in the period, Borlik collected a pass from Rob Myers and scored again.

In the second period, Ben Sumner put the Squirrels up 4-0 with shot that went through the crease to the far side of the net. Southwest Airlines finally answered with a goal late in the period.

In the third period, Southwest Airlines cut the lead to 4-2 with a power play goal. But minutes later, Bager scored again off a pass from Borlik, and the Squirrels held on for the rest of the game.

Don Marks, Brian Jackson, Chris Long and Sergio Balatan missed the game for the Squirrels, who used four defensemen and seven forwards.

The next game is Sunday, February 26, at 2:15 p.m. against the Vikings, a team that is close behind the Squirrels in the standings.

Squirrels Rally Past Nordiques

Ben Sumner

2/13/2006

In what is now one of the biggest rivalries of the division, the Screaming Squirrels and the Nordiques faced off for the third time Sunday night, trading goals down to the final moments. This time, the Squirrels found a way to win, snatching a 6-5 victory by scoring three times in the third period.

The Squirrels knew that there was one guy in particular who they needed to shut down: The league’s leading scorer, Walt Bender Jr. They didn’t. But the Squirrels got a spark of their own from Don Marks, who hadn’t played in more than a month. Two minutes into the game, Marks took a centering pass from Tony Richelson, and knocked the puck in to get the scoring started.

Bender scored his first goal middway through the first period. Thirty seconds later, it appeared that the Squirrels went ahead as Ed Bager hit the puck in the net, but instead he was called for high-sticking and served a four-minute penalty. The Squirrels killed it, and then another minor, but gave up a goal just as the power-play expired in the final minute of the period.

The Nordiques and Squirrels traded two goals apiece in the middle frame. Matt Borlik tied the game on a power play, and Ben Sumner slid in a loose puck to give the Squirrels the lead. Then Bender took over, getting two more in the second period to put the Nordiques back ahead.

Brian Jackson took a major penalty late in the period, which carried over to the third period, but the Squirrels managed to kill it. Jackson then redeemed himself by scoring later in the period on another power play to tie the game. With two and a half minutes remaining, Marks whacked in another loose puck in front of the net to regain the lead. On the same line shift, Bager scored a much-needed insurance goal. The Nordiques got one back with a late flurry around the net, but the Squirrels held on to win.

Rob Myers, Sergio Balatan and Greg Wenograd missed the game for the Squirrels. Drew Thiemann faced 19 shots in net as the Squirrels posted 35. The Squirrels and Nordiques are now 1-1-1 head-to-head this season.

The next game is Wednesday, February 22, at 10 p.m. in Resor against Southwest Airlines.

Another Late-Night Runaway

Ben Sumner

1/27/2006

The Maryland Mutineers had beaten the Clippers a couple of weeks ago to get their first victory of the season. The Screaming Squirrels, riding a one-game winning streak themselves, took them on late Thursday night, winning 10-0 in front of a handful of spectators in the Resor rink.

Nine different Squirrels scored. Ben Sumner, Adam Hughes, Tony Richelson and Phil Van der Vossen hit the net in the first period. Brian Jackson, Greg Wenograd and Matt Borlik scored in the second period, and then the seven-goal running clock rule went into effect.

In the third period, the Squirrels shifted their defensemen to forwards and the first two forward lines to defense. Tony Richelson scored his second, Desi Richelson made several nifty moves to get his first of the season, and Drew Thiemann, playing defense instead of goaltender, netted his first as a Squirrel. The 10th goal ended the game three minutes early.

Backup goaltender Brian Rimm made three total saves in net to get the shutout. He wasn’t sure the Mutineers even had three shots, but was happy nonetheless. ôHOCKEY!!!!ö he screamed as he entered the locker room, soaking himself with a Bud Lite and claiming it was the best beer he ever had.

Don Marks and Sergio Balatan missed the game for the Squirrels. Jared Genser officially dropped off the team for the rest of the winter season, but hopes to return this summer. Chi Pham subbed on defense, notching four assists. Charles Wolstein and Sumner had three assists each. The Squirrels played with three full lines of both offense and defense for the first time in months, and put up 30 shots on goal.

The next game is February 12, at 10:10 p.m. against the Nordiques in the Logsdon rink. The Squirrels are 0-1-1 against the Nordiques this season.

Squirrels Shut Down Wrong Stuff

Ben Sumner

1/22/2006

After a two-week break, the Screaming Squirrels stormed onto the ice Sunday and scored four goals in the first period, and held on for a 5-1 victory against the Wrong Stuff.

Chris Long put in a rebound two minutes into the game on an early power play. Matt Borlik scored five minutes later, and Tony Richelson, double-shifting on right wing, scored on a breakaway. Rob Myers got the last goal of the period to give the Squirrels a comfortable lead.

Despite outplaying the Wrong Stuff in the second period, the Squirrels couldn’t get any shots to fall, and eventually gave up a breakaway goal.

Ben Sumner scored late in the third period on a four-on four. Tony Richelson finished the game with a goal and two assists. The Squirrels outshot the Wrong Stuff, 25-17, as Drew Thiemann made 16 saves in net.

The next game is Thursday, Jan. 26, at 10:30 against the Maryland Mutineers in Resor.

2006 Starts With a Loss

Ben Sumner

1/9/2006

In a matchup of the two best defenses in the league, Dog Star again ended up on top of the Screaming Squirrels, winning 4-2 on Sunday in the first league game of the new year. While Dog Star ranks only fourth in offense, they have only lost one game all season. The Squirrels dropped their fourth.

Dog Star took an early lead, scoring two minutes into the game and again later in the first period. They went up 3-0 in the second period with a short-handed goal.

The Squirrels turned it around late in the second period as Ed Bager connected with Rob Myers, who shot the puck into the right corner of the net to cut the lead. In the last five minutes of the second period, Dog Star took five minor penalties. During that time, Phil Van der Vossen swatted in a rebound before drawing another penalty as the puck went in. But the Squirrels could score no more, despite having a two-man advantage for several moments.

Dog Star scored again late in the third period, just as a Squirrels penalty expired. The Squirrels were outshot, 25-17.

The Squirrels played without Desi Richelson, Charles Wolstein, and Jared Genser. The next game is Jan. 22, at 9 p.m. against the Wrong Stuff in Resor.

Squirrels Post Another Shutout

Ben Sumner

12/22/2005

Aside from holding the Clippers to seven scoreless shots on Wednesday, the Screaming Squirrels got their second consecutive shutout and put a team record 49 shots on net.

Using a brand new stick his brother bought him for Christmas, Tony Richelson scored three goals and added an assist while playing forward. Greg Wenograd netted two goals, while Don Marks and Ed Bager had one apiece.

The Squirrels played without Rob Myers, Jared Genser and Brian Jackson. Drew Thiemann played in net, and noted that his equipment was dry after the game. Despite giving up seven goals, the Clippers’ goaltender, Barry Willen, made 42 saves, robbing the Squirrels on many more opportunities.

The Squirrels are now 7-3-1, good for third place in the division.

The C-3B division All Star game is Sunday, January 1, at 4:20 p.m. The Squirrels expect to have a few players in the game. The next game is Jan. 8, at 10 p.m. against Dog Star in Logsdon.

Bager Finally Scores

Ben Sumner

12/14/2005

It took ten games into his ice career for Ed Bager to finally solve the riddle of the rubber puck. A constant threat in roller hockey, Bager is tied for the team lead in assists this year – and has several shots – but couldn’t get one in the net until 8:40 of the third period Tuesday as the Squirrels skated away with a 5-0 victory against Southwest Airlines.

Late in the first period, Chris Long caught a clearing attempt at the blue line, dropped the puck, shot it, and Phil Van der Vossen redirected it in to get the scoring started. The Squirrels also killed a 5-on-3 for more than a minute midway through the period.

Early in the second period, Rob Myers made a pretty move and scored through the goaltender’s legs to put the Squirrels up by two. Matt Borlik got the third goal late in the period on a breakaway.

Then came the goal that everyone had been patiently waiting for. Stopped on a couple of chances earlier in the game, Bager connected with Ben Sumner on a give-and-go on the low left side, and Bager slid the puck between the goaltender’s legs. He almost scored again late in the game with a hard cut from the right side, but the goaltender read the angle. Greg Wenograd scored on a wrist shot with about two minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, Brian Rimm made 17 saves in net to get the shutout, as the Squirrels put up 28 shots. It was Rimm’s fourth game of the season for the Squirrels.

The next game is Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 10:15 p.m. against the Clippers in Resor. This game was recently added when the Clippers were demoted from the C-A division.

Also, a practice is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 16 at 9:15 p.m. at the Cabin John rink with the D.C. Vipers of Hockey North America. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Shots Don’t Fall, Squirrels Do

Ben Sumner

11/30/2005

The Screaming Squirrels nearly doubled their opponent in shots on Tuesday, but only one went in and Syracuse skated away with a 2-1 victory.

After a scoreless first period, Syracuse got a pair of unassisted goals in the second period. The Squirrels finally got on the board while skating 4-on-4 at 10:53 of the third period when Rob Myers took a pass from Don Marks and slid it between the goaltenders legs to bring the Squirrels within one. Syracuse stopped the Squirrels during a desperate flurry in the final moments.

The Squirrels posted nine shots in the first period, and 14 in each of the next two. Drew Thiemann made 17 saves for the Squirrels, as Syracuse posted only 19 shots. Jared Genser, Desi Richelson, and Charles Wolstein missed the game. Chi Pham subbed on defense. The Squirrels had previously beaten Syracuse, 5-2, earlier in the season.

The next game is Dec. 13 at 10:05 p.m. against Southwest Airlines in the Patrick rink.

Nordiques Rally to Tie Squirrels

Ben Sumner

11/23/2005

With a two-goal cushion going into the final period Tuesday, the Screaming Squirrels let their lead slip away and settled for a 3-3 tie with the Nordiques.

Rob Myers got the scoring started for the Squirrels in the first period with a quick move around the goaltender. Early in the second period, Ben Sumner found Phil Van der Vossen in front of the net, centered it through the crease and Van der Vossen hit it in for his first of the season. The Nordiques answered later in the period, but the Squirrels regained their two-goal advantage as Greg Wenograd scored with 1:28 remaining in the second.

The Nordiques scored on the power play early in the third period, the tied it with 4:30 remaining in the game. The Squirrels had several scoring opportunities in the final period but failed to capitalize.

Drew Thiemann made 17 saves in net as the Squirrels put up 22 shots. Both teams combined for 26 minutes in penalties.

Desi Richelson, Jared Genser, Adam Hughes and Brian Jackson missed the game for the Squirrels. Chi Pham subbed on defense.

The next game is Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 10:25 p.m. against Syracuse in Resor.

Baby Senatore Born

Ben Sumner

11/14/2005

Former Squirrels winger Oriana Senatore announced the birth of her son, Antonio. She says that she’ll be fitting him for ice skates in two years, and aspires for him to be a defenseman.

Senatore played three seasons for the Squirrels, including the inaugural ice season when the Squirrels went undefeated and won the championship.

Squirrels Dominate Mutineers

Ben Sumner

11/13/2005

The Squirrels again made quick work of the Maryland Mutineers on Sunday, scoring two goals in the first minute of play, two more later in the period and two in the third period for a 6-0 victory. More impressive was that they held the Mutineers to only five shots in the game, tying a team record for fewest allowed.

Greg Wenograd scored three goals in the game and Jon Magi had three assists, while Drew Thiemann posted the shutout. The Mutineers held the Squirrels scoreless in the second period though the Squirrels put 16 shots on net. They finished with 33 for the game.

Rob Myers had the first goal of the game, Matt Borlik scored on the power play and Ben Sumner also scored for the Squirrels in the first period. Wenograd got the hat trick after netting two goals in the third period, including one short-handed and unassisted with 35 seconds remaining.

Don Marks, Jared Genser and Desi Richelson missed the game for the Squirrels.

The next game is Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 10:25 against the Nordiques in Resor. A practice is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18, 9:15 p.m. at Cabin John Ice Rink.

Bager Runs With the Marines

Ben Sumner

11/4/2005
Squirrels roller captain Edmund Bager II ran in the 30th annual Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 30, finishing 8013th overall with a time of 4:34:56. See the results (and photos) here. When asked how running a marathon compares to hockey, Bager replied, “Dude, it’s apples and oranges, hockey’s much more fun and can be played anytime, while the marathon is something you have to train for to accomplish.” Bager, 35, missed two ice games while preparing for the race. “I’m glad I did it, but I’m glad it’s over, now I can focus on hockey for the remainder of the year,” he said.

Schedule Changes Posted

Ben Sumner

11/3/2005

The Gardens Ice House announced Thursday that effective Sunday, Nov. 13, the winless Clippers will move to the C3B division from C3A. The Squirrels will play them on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 10:15 p.m. in Resor. To make room for that game, the Feb. 19 game against Syracuse has been dropped. The new schedule is posted on the Gardens Ice House web site and on the Screaming Squirrels’ web site.

Second Period’s a Charm

Ben Sumner

10/30/2005

It wasn’t until halfway through the second period Sunday when the Squirrels started their comeback. Down 3-1, they scored four unanswered goals to take the lead, then added another in the third period and held on for a 6-5 victory against the Vikings.

Jon Magi got the scoring started in the first period with a shot from the left blue line. The Squirrels then took two overlapping penalties, giving the Vikings a two-man advantage for 45 seconds. While the Squirrels initially kept the pressure on, they got caught deep and the Vikings capitalized twice in the last two minutes of the first period.

The Vikings scored again in the second period, and five minutes later the Squirrels took over. Playing in his first game since the summer season ended, Juan Canchasto scored to cut the lead to 3-2. Four minutes later, the Viking’s goaltender gave up a rebound off of Canchasto’s shot, and Ben Sumner hit the spinning puck in to tie the game. Don Marks scored the next two goals in the next minute and a half, taking one coast-to-coast and slapping in another off the faceoff to put the Squirrels ahead by two.

The Vikings cut the Squirrels lead to one a third of the way through the third period. With a little less than three minutes remaining, Magi scored from nearly the exact same position as his first goal, with a similar shot. Down by two again, the Vikings rushed the net and scored, giving themselves one last opportunity with a minute remaining. The Squirrels held on.

Tony Richelson, Desi Richelson, Ed Bager, Rob Myers, Greg Wenograd and Chris Long missed the game for the Squirrels. Drew Thiemann made 22 saves in net. The Squirrels used two lines of forwards with an extra winger, and four defensemen.

The next game is Sunday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. against the Maryland Mutineers in Logsdon.

Squirrels Come Up Short

Ben Sumner

10/28/2005

Playing against the undefeated Dog Star on Thursday, the Screaming Squirrels knew they had to get at least a few goals to win. Dog Star has the stingiest defense in the division, but hasn’t put up too many goals themselves. The Squirrels could only get one in, and fell 2-1.

Early in the first period, a quick whistle robbed the Squirrels of a goal. The referee lost site of the puck, which was never covered, and stopped the play a split second before the Squirrels shot it in.

A couple of sloppy plays within a minute of each other only five minutes into the game left the Squirrels behind 2-0, and that score stood for the rest of the first period and almost all of the second. Rob Myers finally put the Squirrels on the board after sending in a rebound off of Jon Magi’s shot from the point during a power play.

The teams combined for 15 penalties, most of them in the second and third periods, many of them offsetting or overlapping which left the teams skating 4 on 4.

Ed Bager, Chris Long, Jared Genser and Greg Wenograd missed the game for the Squirrels. Chi Pham subbed on defense. Tony Richelson, Don Marks and Sergio Balatan moved up to forward. Drew Thiemann made 22 saves in net, and the Squirrels posted 22 shots.

The next game is Sunday, at 9 p.m. against the Vikings in the Resor rink.

In other Squirrels news, the roller championship T-shirts arrived. See Ben Sumner to receive one.

Borlik’s Hat Trick Lifts Squirrels

Ben Sumner

10/19/2005

If Southwest Airlines had anything going for them Tuesday, it was goaltending. But the shots kept coming and the Squirrels finally broke away for a 4-1 victory.

Southwest Airlines scored first on a shot that the Squirrels said never went in. The puck clanged off the crossbar and bounced to the side, but the referee blew the whistle and signaled a goal. Thirteen seconds later, Matt Borlik evened the score, and that stood throughout the rest of the first period and nearly all of the second.

With 16 seconds remaining in the second period, Brian Jackson sent a shot around a defenseman and through the pads of the goaltender to give the Squirrels a 2-1 lead. It was the only shot that went in after 16 others by the Squirrels in that period.

The Squirrels kept up the pressure in the third period and Southwest Airlines often had trouble clearing the zone. Borlik netted two more and the Squirrels earned their third win of the season. Goaltender Brian Rimm faced nine shots, while the Squirrels posted 42, their most since March when they had 46 in a game.

Charles Wolstein and Chris Long missed the game for the Squirrels. Ben Sumner missed on a rarely-called a penalty shot in the second period.

The next game is Thursday, Oct. 27 at 10:20 p.m. against Dog Star in Logsdon.

Squirrels Bounce Back

Ben Sumner

10/14/2005

After giving up eight goals last week, the Squirrels tightened up on defense and shut down Syracuse on Thursday, 5-2.

The scoring didn’t start until the second period when Tony Richelson scored at a nearly impossible angle when he hit the top left corner of the net from the far right side of the goal. Later in the period, Don Marks got the puck through four players and the goaltender to put the Squirrels up by two.

In the third period, Ben Sumner scored off of a rebound, but Syracuse struck back less than a minute later. Marks then scored his second of the game from Matt Borlik’s centering pass. Syracuse again cut the Squirrels’ lead to two with 6:38 remaining in the game before having a four-minute power play. But the Squirrels killed it, and then Sumner got his second goal of the game after fetching a loose puck from a neutral-zone collision and skated in on the breakaway.

Marks played right wing instead of defense. Ed Bager was the other right wing as the Squirrels were short on forwards. Jared Genser, Adam Hughes and Sergio Balatan missed the game for the Squirrels. Drew Thiemann played defense, and Brian Rimm made 15 saves in net. The Squirrels had 32 shots, 15 in the second period.

The next game is Tuesday, at 10 p.m. against Southwest Airlines in the Patrick rink.

Three Shorthanded Goals Not Enough

Ben Sumner

10/7/2005

After a three weeks off, which was more time off than between the summer and winter season, the Screaming Squirrels played a game Thursday they would like to soon forget. They lost 8-6 to the Nordiques, despite battling back with four goals in the third period.

The first period started off poorly for the Squirrels as the Nordiques scored three times. Jon Magi, playing his first game since March after having surgery, had the lone goal in the period for the Squirrels.

The Nordiques and Squirrels traded goals in the second period. Rob Myers scored his first ice hockey goal – shorthanded – to cut the Nordiques’ lead to 4-2.

The third period saw a flurry of penalties as the Squirrels took six in that period alone. The Nordiques capitalized, getting three goals on the power play, and one other shorthanded. But the Squirrels kept fighting as Tony Richelson and Greg Wenograd both scored while killing penalties. Wenograd’s goal was with a two-man disadvantage and cut the lead to 7-6 with 1:40 remaining in the game. Ben Sumner also scored early in the period for the Squirrels, and Brian Jackson netted his first for the team on a power play.

No. 91 on the Nordiques scored four goals, several of them on breakaways.

The Squirrels had three full lines of offense and defense. Brian Rimm played in net for the Squirrels. Charles Wolstein and Drew Thiemann missed the game. Jared Genser played for the first time since May.

Although neither played, the two teams have family members on their rosters. Joseph Wu is a substitute for the Squirrels, and his sister, Yvonne Wu, is on the Nordiques.

The next game is Thursday, Oct. 13, at 10:30 p.m. against Syracuse in Resor.

Squirrels Kick-Start Ice Season

Ben Sumner

9/16/2005

With the clouds of the summer’s ice season all but gone, the Screaming Squirrels came out shooting in the first game of the regular season Thursday, skunking the Maryland Mutaneers, 11-1.

Four players made their debut for the Squirrels on ice, including longtime roller teammates Ed Bager and Rob Myers, and defenseman Tony Richelson. Brian Jackson also played his first game for the team on defense. Bager and Myers combined for 7 assists.

The Squirrels forced a running clock by going up 7-0 with 4:22 remaining in the first period, and were ahead 8-0 going into the second. The game ended with 1:25 to go in the third period when the Squirrels went up by 10.

The Squirrels now have three weeks off, and will play again October 6, at 10:05 p.m. against the Nordiques.

Almost Over

Ben Sumner

8/21/2005

The Screaming Squirrels have occasionally played well against Panic this season. Sunday, they didn’t have their best night – coming one short of a skunk – but it sadly wasn’t their worst, either, as they fell 11-2.

The game actually started well for the Squirrels, as Ben Sumner got a shot past the scrambling goaltender only 16 seconds into the game. Then Panic scored the next nine goals, often while circling around the zone as if they were on a power play. Sumner scored again with the help of the goaltender misplaying the puck, this time 24 seconds into the third period. Panic scored two more before the running clock ran out.

The final regular season game of the season is Tuesday against Honkey Kong at 10 p.m. The Squirrels then have to play again Wednesday in the playoff qualifier against either Panic or Honkey Kong.

And Again…

Ben Sumner

8/16/2005

The Squirrels have lost in nearly every way possible this year. Blowouts. Holding a lead up until the last few minutes. Blowouts. On Tuesday, they found a new way while falling to Honkey Kong, 2-1.

After a scoreless first period, the two teams got into a scuffle, and two Squirrels players got ejected. That left them with one player on the bench and a five-minute major penalty to kill with half the game to play. The Squirrels easily killed it., but Honkey Kong eventually broke the scoreless tie late in the period.

Midway through the third period, which was shortened to ten minutes instead of 15, Ben Sumner sent a weak shot at the goaltender, who fumbled it in his glove and let it trickle in. Then Honkey Kong answered with two minutes remaining to take the lead. The Squirrels put on a late flurry and missed a shot by an inch in the final moments.

After playing last night with one sub, the Squirrels were already exhausted. Honkey Kong had at least two full lines, yet narrowly escaped with the victory.

The next game is Sunday, August 21, at 9:10 p.m. against the Panic.

No Shutout This Time

Ben Sumner

8/14/2005

In their last two games together, the Volcanoes have outscored the Squirrels, 20-0. On Sunday, they easily won again – but lost their shutout streak – with a 12-2 victory.

The Volcanoes were up 2-0 early when Desmond Richelson chased the puck into the left corner and centered to Ben Sumner, who flipped in a backhander. The Squirrels, playing with only one sub, lost their legs midway through the first period and gave up five more goals.

In the second period, Chris Long made one of his best plays of the season. With the puck, he streaked down the middle with defensemen around him, took a shot, got his own rebound and hammered it in to give the Squirrels their second goal.

But the Volcanoes, intent on scoring quickly, kept up the pressure, and the game ended with 10:49 to go in the third period because of the 10 goal rule. Of their 12 goals, only four players scored. In the five games the teams have played together, the Volcanoes hold the edge, 52-5.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Squirrels, who play again Monday at 10:30 p.m. against Honkey Kong in Logsdon. The roller team then plays Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against the 5 Holes.

Another Goose Egg

Ben Sumner

8/8/2005

The Squirrels were laughing and carrying on in the locker room following the game Sunday, making the best of a lost season. They had just suffered another 10-0 defeat at the hands of the Volcanoes, this time with ten minutes remaining in the third period.

Despite the lopsided loss, there were some positive moments for the Squirrels, who were only playing with two substitutes. The Volcanoes didn’t score until midway into the first period, and were held scoreless during a four-minute power play. Matt Borlik, playing in net, made 31 saves.

The Squirrels did have a few quality chances, but just couldn’t get the puck past the goalkeeper. Greg Wenograd showed perhaps the most heart in the entire game for either team, as he streaked up mid-ice for a puck that a defenseman was lazily retrieving. Wenograd unfortunately didn’t get a shot away as several Volcanoes finally converged, but he made a play out of nothing while already skating on a long shift.

Borlik, Wenograd, Chris Long, Ben Sumner, Juan Canchasto, Wade Marks, Charles Wolstein and Adam Hughes played for the Squirrels. Goaltender Drew Thiemann missed the game as he is recovering from having his wisdom teeth removed. It was also his birthday.

The Volcanoes will go for their third consecutive 10-0 game against the Squirrels on Sunday, August 14, at 9:10 p.m. The Squirrels play again Monday, August 15, at 10:30 p.m. against Honkey Kong. Four regular season games remain.

Squirrels Get ‘Respectable’ Loss

Ben Sumner

7/31/2005

Playing with a full line of forwards for the first time in a couple of months, the Squirrels put forth a valiant effort Sunday but couldn’t capitalize on a last-minute chance, and fell to the Panic, 3-2.

The teams skated to a scoreless first period and traded goals in the second. Chris Long put in a rebound off of Matt Borlik’s shot for the first goal, then the Panic answered a minute and a half later. With 3:15 remaining in the period, Borlik fed Wade Marks, who sent in a wrister to the top shelf. Again, the Panic scored on the next shift. In the third period, the Panic scored the winning goal with 8:39 remaining, and held on for the victory. All three Panic goals came after poor breakouts by the Squirrels.

The Squirrels killed all five of their penalties, sometimes looking more in control than the Panic. Drew Theimann made 28 saves for the Squirrels in net.

The next game is Sunday, August 7, at 10:30 against the Volcanoes in Logsdon. Five games remain in the season.

Another Laugher

Ben Sumner

7/27/2005

Honkey Kong did to the Squirrels what the Squirrels routinely did to them the last three years on Tuesday. They blew them out, 7-0.

Greg Wenograd, Chris Long, Matt Borlik, Ben Sumner, Adam Hughes, Desmond Richelson, Drew Thiemann, Juan Canchasto and Charles Wolstein played for the Squirrels, who lost their tenth game in a row.

The next game is Sunday, July 31 at 9:10 against the Panic.

Skunked Again

Ben Sumner

7/24/2005

With only one substitute Sunday, the Squirrels didn’t have the endurance to match Panic. And Panic didn’t even have a goaltender. Playing five against six skaters and an empty net proved to be a disadvantage as the Squirrels had difficulty getting it past a third defenseman. The game ended near the end of the second period when Panic went up 11-1. At that point, the Squirrels had no substitutes because of excessive penalties.

The Squirrels only had one official shot on goal because shots are only counted when they go in if the opposing team doesn’t have a goaltender. The Squirrels used a substitute goaltender, who plays for the Dead Kings. Matt Borlik, Charles Wolstein, Sergio Balatan, Ben Sumner, Adam Hughes and Desmond Richelson played for the Squirrels.

The next game is Tuesday, at 10:45 against Honkey Kong.

Skunked

Ben Sumner

7/18/2005

In three games so far this season, the undefeated Volcanoes have outscored the Squirrels 30-3, the latest a 10-0 game on Sunday night. Two more games remain between the teams later in August, and the Squirrels have shown few signs that they’re about to turn it around against this team.

While the Ice Gardens has in the past rearranged leagues middway through the season based on skill level, there has been no sign of it happening as of yet., despite a huge gap in the standings between the Volcanoes and Dead Kings, and the Panic, Squirrels and Honkey Kong.

Squirrels Lose Seventh Straight

Ben Sumner

7/10/2005

If there was any consolation to Sunday’s 10-5 loss to the Dead Kings, it was the the Squirrels put up their highest goal total in almost two months, and they did it with only two substitutes on the bench.

Ben Sumner scored the first two goals for the Squirrels, and Greg Wenograd sailed in a shot with three seconds remaining in the second period. Sumner scored again in the third, and Matt Borlik got the Squirrels’ fifth goal between the goaltender’s legs.

No. 71 on the Dead Kings had eight points – five goals and three assists – and has several more points on the season than the Squirrels’ goal total.

Drew Thiemann made 26 saves for the Squirrels. The last goal was an empty-netter. Chris Long, Desi Richelson, Charles Wolstein and Adam Hughes also played. The next game is Sunday, July 17, at 10:30 against the unbeaten Volcanoes.

2 Teams, 3 Subs

Ben Sumner

6/27/2005

The most noticable thing about the Screaming Squirrels-Panic game Sunday night was the bench. There were only three players sitting on it at any given time, no where close to the recommended 10 subs per team. The Squirrels only had one sub, and the Panic had two. The Squirrels would like to think that made the difference in their 12-2 loss.

Matt Borlik scored the first goal of the game for the Squirrels, who held the lead up until two minutes remained in the first period. Then Panic started scoring. Three in the final minutes of the first period, four in the second, and five in the third. Goaltender Drew Thiemann faced 45 shots, saving 34 of them. Panic’s final goal was a short-handed empty netter as the Squirrels pulled the goaltender for one final flurry. The Squirrels only had eight shots in the first two periods, and 11 in the third. Ben Sumner scored the second goal for the Squirrels midway through the third period.

Besides Sumner, Borlik and Thiemann, Desi Richelson, Adam Hughs, Chris Long, and Greg Wenograd showed up for the Squirrels. The teams, both shorthanded, were supposed to play on the smaller Logsdon rink. Without warning, The Gardens Ice House moved the game to the much larger Resor rink, though Logsdon was not being used at the time.

The Squirrels now have a long layoff. They’ll return to the ice July 10, at 9 p.m. against the Dead Kings.

Hurricanes Breeze Past Squirrels

Ben Sumner

6/24/2005

It started off as another typical Squirrels-Hurricanes game Thursday, with a low shot count and little scoring, and much intensity. In the first 25 minutes of the game, little happened. Then, midway through the second period, the Squirrels took a hooking penalty and that’s when the game fell apart for them. The Hurricanes scored on the power play, then four more times in the next couple of minutes, and ran away with a 5-0 victory.

The Squirrels were only playing with two full lines. Don and Wade Marks missed the game because Don is getting married this weekend in Philadelphia. Jeff Ford and Rob Myers also missed the game for the Squirrels.

The Hurricanes also defeated the once-undefeated 5-Holes, 8-5 on Tuesday, and now take over first place in the league. The Squirrels remain in third place. The next roller game is Tuesday, June 28, at 7:30 against the 5-Holes.

Squirrels Stumble in the End

Ben Sumner

6/22/2005

Honkey Kong was due. They hadn’t beaten the Screaming Squirrels – in roller or ice – in the three years that the two teams have played each other. In fact, most of the games, even the one earlier this season, were virtual Squirrel blowouts.

This time, the Screaming Squirrels couldn’t put them away. The Squirrels were up 3-1 after the first period, but Honkey Kong came back and tied the game in the second, then went ahead 4-3 in the third. Adam Hughes tied the game for the Squirrels on the first half of a four-minute power play, and all the momentum was in the Squirrels’ favor. Honkey Kong took another penalty, giving the Squirrels a two-man advantage for 1:28. But Honkey Kong killed the first penalty as their skater came out of the box and scored, putting Honkey Kong up 5-4. They scored again on a controversial goal when the whistle was blown before the loose puck went into the net. The referee didn’t call the goal until more than a minute after play had stopped, and even Honkey Kong players were saying “That was close.” Tempers flared after that, the Squirrels took more penalties, and the game ended at 6-4.

It was the Squirrels’ fourth straight loss, and their schedule isn’t getting any easier. They will next play the Panic on Sunday at 10:30 in Logsdon, and defenseman Don Marks will be missing several weeks as he goes on his honeymoon.

Van der Vossen’s Goal Spoils Dead Kings’ Shutout Bid

Ben Sumner

6/19/2005

One on one, he kicked it in the crease, to his stick, and slammed it between the goaltender’s pads in the far right corner. With less than a minute remaining in the game, Phil Van der Vossen finally put the Screaming Squirrels on the board, temporarily stopping a running clock and showing the Dead Kings that shutting out the Squirrels one thing they haven’t accomplished in their blowout victories.

After a promising start for the Squirrels, Sunday’s game ended 8-1, their fourth loss in a row in which they were outscored 36-6. The Squirrels only allowed one goal in the first period before the Dead Kings opened the floodgates with long passes up the middle to streaking forwards.

Don Marks and Jared Genser missed the game for the Squirrels, and Drew Thiemann played half of the game on defense before leaving for a playoff game in a different league. The Squirrels used a substitute goaltender.

The next game is Tuesday, at 9:15 p.m. against Honkey Kong in Resor.

Volcanoes Win Again

Ben Sumner

6/13/2005

It was almost de ja vu û at least at the end of the game. For the second week in a row, the Volcanoes crushed the Ice Squirrels, this time 9-1 in Logsdon. Again, the Squirrels played the first shift without a goaltender, and didn’t yield a goal. And again, the Squirrels played with very few skaters û only three total subs.

The difference between this week and last week was the score in the first two periods. The Squirrels held the Volcanoes to only four goals in the first two periods, and scored one themselves, before fatigue set in during the third.

Juan Canchasto scored for the Squirrels in the first period on a beautiful pass from Phil Van der Vossen coming down the center.

The Squirrels played without Don Marks, Jared Genser, Greg Wenograd, Desmond Richelson, Chris Long, and didn’t have any substitutes.

The next game is Sunday, June 19, at 7:30 against the Dead Kings in Logsdon.

Squirrels Nearly Skunked

Ben Sumner

6/6/2005

Playing the first place Volcanoes for the first time this season, the Screaming Squirrels Ice Team didn’t realize what they were in for an 11-2 beating. The Volcanoes scored 6 goals in the first period, and one more in the second before the Squirrels finally scored. Wade Marks, who wasn’t planning on playing because of an injury, sent a knuckler past the goaltender to stop the running clock. The Volcanoes then outscored the Squirrels 4-1 in the third period. Greg Wenograd scored for the Squirrels in the third period.

The Squirrels played without Don Marks, Adam Hughs, Juan Canchasto, and Jeff Newton. The next game is Sunday, June 12, 7:30 against the Volcanoes again.

Dead Kings Reign Again

Ben Sumner

5/23/2005

The score didn’t come anywhere near a skunk this time, but the Dead Kings still ran away with an 8-2 victory over the Screaming Squirrels on Sunday. Playing with three forward lines and five defensemen – the most players the Squirrels used all season – the Squirrels still couldn’t stop the long passes and quick centering passes that the Dead Kings used extensively in the first meeting three weeks ago.

The game started promising enough for the Squirrels, as Don Marks, playing center, scored on a breakaway during the first shift of the game. The Dead Kings scored the next two, and then Matt Borlik tied the game on the power play with a 5-hole shot.

Then the Dead Kings ran away with the game in the second period, scoring a short-handed goal and then scoring on three consecutive line changes.

Jeff ôHockey Stop Guyö Newton played his first game as a Squirrel on defense. Goaltender Drew Thiemann played out on defense for the first time since his freshman year of college. The Squirrels used substitute goaltender ôSteve the Goalie.ö

The next game is Sunday, June 5, at 7:40 against the Volcanoes in Resor.

Third Period’s a Charm

Ben Sumner

5/16/2005

Skating only two lines and withstanding a lopsided shot count, the Screaming Squirrels won their most gutsy game in months Sunday, 5-4, against the Panic in Logsdon Pavilion.

Down 2-0 after the first period, the Squirrels battled back midway through the second with goals by Phil Van der Vossen and Juan Canchasto, both from Joe Berrett’s stick. But the period didn’t end well, as the Squirrels gave up two late goals, including one shorthanded, to go down 4-2.

Then the third period came. Already sucking wind, the Squirrels put up three goals early on. Berrett scored shorthanded, Cancasto tied the game, and Berrett put in the gamewinner with a series of moves around the defensemen.

Goaltender Drew Thiemann stopped two breakaways in the final four minutes to preserve the victory while making 28 of 32 saves overall. The Squirrels only put up 18 shots.

There was a brief scare in the first period when Ben Sumner fell hard on his knee and had to skate off with assistance. Had he not returned, the Squirrels wouldn’t have had enough players for a complete line change.

For the first time, the Squirrels faced off against former roller teammates Dave Manfredi and Mike Morris, both of whom started playing for the Panic a few years ago before the Squirrels had starting playing ice themselves.

Don Marks, Wade Marks, Adam Hughes, Sergio Balatan, and Greg Wenograd missed the game for the Squirrels, who are now 2-1 in the league. The next game is Sunday, May 22, 9 p.m. in Resor.

Squirrels Avoid Skunk

Ben Sumner

5/2/2005

Long before the Dead Kings scored from the blue line with one second remaining in the first period, the Screaming Squirrels knew they were in for it. Down 6-0 after the first period, and generating virtually no offensive chances, there was only a running clock and a 10-0 skunk to look forward to. Only the running clock happened. And then it didn’t. And then it did. And then it didn’t.

Down 7-0 in the second period, Ben Sumner sent a high knuckler from the right circle over the goaltender’s shoulder to put the Squirrels on the board. In the third period, Sumner flipped in another shot after the goaltender fumbled the puck in front of the net. The Dead Kings responded with a couple more goals after that, and then Phil Van der Vossen scored after putting on deep pressure in the zone with Matt Borlik.

Later in the period, Sumner centered to Jared Genser, who shot a point-blank wrister past the goaltender. Adam Hughes scored the fifth goal of the game for the Squirrels, but it was well short of the 11 that the Dead Kings put up. The Squirrels were outshot, 42-20.

The Squirrels, who had only two defensive lines and seven forwards, played without both Don and Wade Marks, and none of their part-time players. The next game is Sunday, May 15, at 10:45 p.m. against the Panic in Logsdon.

New League, Old Foe, Same Tune

Ben Sumner

4/26/2005

The Screaming Squirrels made a quick statement in the Laurel ice league Monday, scoring two goals in the first 35 seconds of the game en route to a 6-1 victory against former roller division rival Honkey Kong. Don Marks and Greg Wenograd got the scoring started before the Squirrels went on a period-long scoring drought. Adam Hughes knocked in a pass from Desmond Richelson in the second, then Juan Canchasto scored two and Don Marks added his second goal in the third period.

Roller sniper and New Carrolton rink rat Joe Berrett played his first game as a Squirrel, putting up three assists on defense.

The Screaming Squirrels won the C Division championship Thursday with a 4-2 victory against the Chupacabras. It is the second title in roller hockey for the Squirrels in three years, the first being shared with the Hurricanes because the final game was never played. Continue reading “Back on Top”